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Sony confirms new Dual Shock controller
Author: Joe MartinPublished: 18th September 2007
The new Sony PlayStation 3 controller - just like the old one, but it can't sit still.
However, after a few complications involving a patent war to see just who owned the rights to the Dual Shock technology, the PS3 controller had to forfeit the rumble technology as well.
Now, while we have our own dark theories about what went on in the background of that patent struggle, the end result was that Sony was left with a controller that now seemed more than a little out of date - with neither Dual Shock or an improved design.
The addition of the SixAxis motion sensitive technology could have done something to address this of course but unfortunately many gamers saw this as a quick attempt on Sonys part to copy the success of Nintendo. We could argue that point until the cows come home, but it would be getting a little off topic.
Anywho, recent rumours have been circulating ever since a podcast done by the fellows over at 1-Up which states that Sony will be unveiling a new version of the PS3 controller at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show - a controller complete with Dual Shock.
The Dual Shock technology has proven a little problematic for Sony, who has been rumoured to be working on a controller update for a while now. The main problem has apparently been trying to cram both the Dual Shock and SixAxis gadgetry into the old controller shell while still keeping the controller wireless.
It remains to be seen whether Sony can make good on these rumours and actually bring the PS3 controller back to life, but in the mean time you can always discuss the issue on the forums and let us know what your favourite game controller of all time is.
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Comments (13)Stats: 0.037 seconds
Anyways, rumble in the PS3 controller is very good news because that's like the 2nd main reason why most of my friends dislike the PS3 and I honestly think it's pathetic because you honestly don't need it to game, but don't get me wrong: it was expected, so it's about time.
You're half right - but I still reckon they kind of added it in to be fashionable, like phones are now doing with touchscreens. There's only a little shame in it though - id did the same thing by adding a manipulator into Doom 3:ROE soon after Half-Life 2 introduced the physics gun. Of course, they then claimed they invented it first and that they used it to fling debris around in Doom 3 levels in order to decorate them. I don't buy that for a second.
I doubt it was just because it was fashionable, Sony patented a motion controller years ago , its probably got to the point where it can be implemented cheap enough to to throw in for next to nothing, there is motion stuff on Playstation and has been for years though done in a different manner like via eyetoy where it tracks your body movement rather than use a controller so its not like motion tracking is new to PS product.
Rumble and Sixaxis will be fine, you can see a varient of it running on PS1 with original Warhawk, SIXAXIS will probably just need some sensitivity adjustment.
http://www.psmpodcast.com/?p=12
For me personally I've never seen rumble as a big deal so I won't be rushing out to buy additional controllers unless there are some definate improvements to the controller like the analog tweaks that are supposed to be coming soon.
Force feedback wheel B) a shaking controller :?
Yep.